The New Community Firm

After sweeping all before it in the 1980s, 'Japanese management' ran into trouble in the 1990s, especially in the high-tech industries, prompting many to declare it had outlived its usefulness. From the late 1990s leading companies embarked on wide-ranging reforms designed to restore their entrepreneurial vigour. For some, this spelled the end of Japanese management; for others, little had changed. From the perspective of the community firm, Inagami and Whittaker examine changes to employment practices, corporate governance and management priorities, in this 2005 book, drawing on a rich combination of survey data and an in-depth study of Hitachi, Japan's leading general electric company and enterprise group. They find change and continuity, the emergence of a 'reformed model', but not the demise of the community firm. The model addresses both economic vitality and social fairness, within limits. This book offers unique insights into changes in Japanese management, corporations and society.

Across America, community associations are flourishing. As a growing number of residents have discovered, these communities offer a new way of living together--one that protects and enhances property values, allows people to support their mutual interests, and promotes harmony and cooperation. In the Common Interest reveals the phenomenal growth of this lifestyle, and explains how the modern community association benefits not only residents but also the country at large. Author John Carona outlines the pros and cons of these communities, plus prescriptive advice for how we can make them even better. To bring his points to life, Carona weaves throughout the book the fictional story of David and Sandra, a couple whose experiences bust many myths about community living. Whether you're considering living in a community association or whether you currently reside or govern in one, you'll be enriched and empowered by the wealth of knowledge contained in this book--and inspired by Carona's vision of how we can continue to build the new American community.

As the prime force behind trade throughout the Western Hemisphere, the United States is emerging with two trade projects--the newly-signed North American Free Trade Agreement and the projected New American Community. This volume provides a clear, concise guide to all aspects of the 5-volume NAFTA accord, its side agreements, and the unfolding New American Community. It covers specific issues, rationalizations, ideologies, controversies, and recommended actions. With special emphasis on the North American Free Trade Agreement, the volume will provide a major resource for both academics and decision makers in industry and government. Written by a leading authority on U.S. Latin American trade, the volume includes entries, arranged alphabetically, on NAFTA and other trade-related topics. The NAFTA entries are based on the five-volume treaty or official government and nongovernmental publications. Since the New American Community is still emerging, the non-NAFTA entries are interpolations from past trade accords and existing nationwide agreements or ideas based on global concepts and directives, especially the European Union.